Automatically-adjustable bracelet or belt.



PATENTED MAY 19, 1903.

No. 728,741. I

P. MASON.

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE BRACELET 0R BELT. 4, APPLICATION nLnn rnme:1903.

no menu. a

luozutoz the links in an extended position.

"and illustrated in the accompanying UNITED STATES Fatented May'19,1903.

PAT NT OFFICE.

HOWARD & COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATICALLY-ADJUSTABLE BRACELET OR BELT.

srncrnrcarxow forming part of Letters Patent to. 723,741, dated May 19,1903.

Application filed February 6, 1903 Serial No. l42,2 52. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern; v,

Be it known that I, FREDERICK MASON, a resident of Attleboro, in thecounty of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Automatically-Adjustable Bracelet-s or Belts;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specifica-' tion.

This invention relates to the class of wearing-apparel known as ladiesbracelets or belts, aridhas for its object to produce a bracelet, belt,or other similar article for ornamental wear that is handsome inappearance, flexible in its action, and will automatically hug or fitclose to the wrist, neck, or waist around which it may be worn.

It is fully explained in this specification drawings.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the bracelet. Fig. 2 is anenlarged view showing two links from the inner side of thebracelet withtheir backs removed, showing the mechanism on the inside of the cups andthe links in the contracted or closed position. Fig. 3 shows the sameview of the cups with Fig. 4: is a sectional elevation on line 4 4 ofFig. 2 with the back secured in place. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofone" of the cups with the back removed. Fig. 6 is a'perspective view ofone of the notched plates which limits the stroke of the link-bars, alsoshowing the lugs raised on either end for supporting the ends ofthesprings. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the springs. Fig. 8shows 'a perspective view of a pair of the link-bars held together attheir upper end by a ring. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the uppernotched plate, which also assists to limit the movement of the links.Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the back plate or cover for the cup.

In the construction the bracelet is made up of a series of elongatedcup-shaped members A A, which may be drawn up out of sheet stock withtheir sides slotted at a, a. (See Fig. 5.) These cups A A are joinedtogether by link-bars BB, each pair of which is hinged together at theirouter ends by the ring 0, which ring engages the hole pierced throughtheir ends to receive it. The opposite end of each like bar B is bentaround at nearly right angles to the'body of the bar and a T-shaped headI) formed'upon it.

D is a plate (see Fig. 6) the sides of which are cut away or notched outat its center portion d to receive the T-head of-the link-bars B B. Thelength of these notches into which the ends of the bar extend limit themotion of saidbars, forming a stop, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The lugs dd are raised out of the stock at either end of this plate andformsupports for the ends of the flat sheet-metal springs c e, which restagainst them on either side and extend across from one to the other ofsaid lugs.

F is a plate (see Fig. 9) which rests on the ends of lugs d d (see Fig.4) and is also notched out on each edge at its center portioncorresponding to. plate D, and is for the purpose of receiving the endsof and assisting in limiting the motion of the link-bars B B, as aboveexplained.

In the assembling and operation of the parts the elongated cup-shapedmember A may be drawn up into any desired ornamentalform, open at itsback to receive and inclose the operating mechanism. The plate D is.then placed into it with the lugs d d projectingv outward. On eitherside of these lugs and extending from one to the other are the fiatsprings e e. The T-shaped ends of the link-bar B are inserted throughthe slots a a on either side of the cup, said ends resting against theseflat springs e e, the tension of which tend to keep the bars in anupright position in line with the sides of the cup, as illustrated inFig. 2. The notched plateF is next placed over the springs e e andissupported on the ends of the lugs d'd. The back plate R is then placedin position, and the edge of the cup is turned or rolled over firmly inplace without the use of solder. In drawing the links apart in openingup the bracelet to slide over the hand the curved backs of the bars B Broll together, as illustrated in Fig. 3, until the T-shaped heads bringup on the ends of the ICO . the lever the tension is extremely delicatecontracted or normal and may be worn next to the flesh for an in-'definite period without afiecting the circulation or causing anyunpleasant sensation. By this construction of springs and link-bars thebracelet is made very flexible, indeed, so much so that it may be turnedinside out, if desired. It is very neat and attractive in design and maybe highly ornamented. In addition to its use as a bracelet it may bealso worn as a belt, a collar, or a garter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desiretosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In .a device of the character described, the combination of aplurality of cup-shaped members, a plurality of angular link-barsinterposed between said cup-shaped members, each of said cup-shapedmembers inclosing and retaining one end of a plurality of saidlink-bars, and springs for normally holding said link-bars in contractedposition,the outer end of each link-bar being loosely connected to thecorresponding link of the adjacent cup, as set forth.

' 2. In a device of the character describedin combination a plurality oflink-bars, a plurality of cup members, each link-bar being normally heldin a line parallel with the sides of the adjacent cup member, one end ofeach of said bars being held to turn within the cup, said bar having itsouter end loosely connected to the corresponding link of the adjacentcup, springs bearing against the inclosed ends of said links and adaptedto hold themin a position, substantially as described. a 1

3. In a device of the character described in combination a plurality ofcup members, a plurality of link-bars extending out of and turned atright angles to and extending along parallel with each side of each cupmember, the outer'end of each-link-bar loosely joined to thecorresponding link in the adjacent cup,

and a spring pressing against one end of a plurality of links, wherebythe latter will be free to turn within the cup, substantially asdescribed.

A. In a device of the character described, a plurality of cup members,apair of link-bars extending out of each side of each of said cupmembers, the bars of each pair turned 'in opposite directions and atright angles to the portion which enters the cup, said bars extending ina line parallel to the sides of said cup member, and springs bearingagainst the inclosed ends of said bars whereby the latte are held freeto turn, the outer ends of each link-bar being loosely joined to thecorrespond ng link in the adjacent cup, substantlally as described.

5. In a device of the character described in combination a plurality ofcup members, a plurality of link-bars extending out of and turned atright angles to and extending along parallel with each side of each cupmember, the outer end of each link-bar loosely joined to thecorresponding link in the adjacent cup, and a spring bearing against oneend of the link within the cup whereby the same is free to turn, meanswithin each cup member for limiting the movement of the link-bars,substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, a

. plurality of cup members, a pair of link-bars extending out of eachside of each cup member, the bars of each pair turned at right angles tothe portion which enters the sides of the cup, said bars extending inopposite directions and parallel to the sides of said cup members,springs bearin g against the inclosed ends of said links whereby thelatter are held to turn or move, the outer end of each link-bar beingloosely joined to the corresponding link in the adjacent cup, meanswithin each cup member for limiting the movement of each link-bar,substantially as described.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination a plurality oflink-bars, a plurality of cup-shaped members each member inclosing andretaining one end of a plurality of said link-bars, fiat springspressing against the inclosed ends of said bars to hold them in thecontracted position, means within each cup member for limiting themovement of each link-bar, the outer end of said bars loosely joined tocorresponding links in the next cup, substantially as described.

8. In a bracelet the combination of a plurality of link-bars, aplurality of cup-shaped members receiving the ends of said link-bars,springs acting .upon the ends of a plurality of said link-bars andserving to retain them in position, a notched plate engaging theinclosed ends of said bars to limit their motion, the outer ends of saidbars being loosely connected to the corresponding bar extending from thenext cup member, described.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of aplurality of link-bars, a plurality of cup-shaped members, each memberinclosing and retaining one end of a plurality of said link-bars, flatsprings pressing against the inclosed ends of said bars to hold them inthe contracted position, a plate notched out to receive the inclosedends of said bars to limit their motion, the outer ends of said barsbeing loosely joined to corresponding links in the next cup,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1903.

' FREDERICK MASON.

In presence of- HOWARD E. BARLOW, E. I. OGDEN.

substantially as

